2019 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS: ROHR to drop three players

Villarreal FC of Spain’s attacking jewel Samuel Chukwueze tops the list of 26 players expected to report at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba to prepare for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to begin on June 21 in Egypt.

The 26 players are expected to arrive in the Delta State capital on June 2 with word rife that no deadline was set for them since they were mandatorily given 10 days to recuperate from the busy European club matches this season.

Disclosing this on a twitter handle @osasuo Thursday, Eagles manager Gernot Rohr wrote:

”The Super Eagles coach, will cut the 26- man squad to his final 23, just before the team leaves Asaba, for AFCON in Egypt. I don’t envy the three players that will be disappointed. Asked by @osasuo if Chukwueze will make the
final 23 players, Rohr said: ” I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But a lot of Nigerians will ask questions if he doesn’t, because he can be the X-factor player for the Super Eagles at the AFCON. Let’s see what happens”.

Interestingly, Sportinglife.ng revealed exclusively on Wednesday that Leicester City’s tottering striker Kelechi Iheanacho will make the country’s 23-man squad to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt to help him rediscover his confidence and his professional career in England next season.

Sportinglife.ng gathered further that Super Eagles chief coach Gernot Rohr has been informed that Iheanacho must be included in any list of players he is assembling to camp in Asaba to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nation beginning from June 21 to July 19.

Indeed, Rohr discussed his list of players with the federations’ chieftains as part of both parties’ concern towards the team’s successful outing at the Africa Cup of Nations, where the tactician hinted that Iheanacho wasn’t part of his plans.